Feb. 2006 Sales: Chrysler Group

[Variance]

Chrysler Group U.S. Sales for February 2006 Increase 3 Percent

LX Platform Sets Sales Record of 30,241 Units Combined

Chrysler 300 Sets New All-Time Monthly Sales Record

Jeep® Commander up 68 Percent Over January 2006 Sales

Dodge Caliber Begins Arriving in Dealerships; European Markets are Next

Dodge Ram Sales Continue to be the Volume Leader for the Company

Dodge Charger Records Best Sales Month Ever

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 1, 2006 -

On the strength of several key products and led by new product introductions, Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales for February 2006 of 190,367 units, an increase of 3 percent compared to February 2005 sales of 185,643. All figures reported this month have the same number of selling days as February 2005.

"Our newest and best products carried the day for us in February," said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. "The LX platform posted sales of 30,241 units this month, our best ever. Overall, our car business is up 19 percent, and we have the all-new Dodge Caliber arriving at dealerships this month and attracting a new group of customers to our showrooms."

The LX platform, from which the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum are produced, posted a record sales month with 30,241 units sold in February 2006, an increase over last year's sales of 17,913 units.

The all-new Dodge Caliber begins making its debut at Dodge dealerships this month, and the positive response from the press and the public has already attracted a new group of customers to the Dodge brand. The Dodge Caliber is the Dodge division's first truly global vehicle as it will spearhead the company's push into European markets later this year. With its distinctive styling, four fuel-efficient powertrain offerings and innovative interior features, the Dodge Caliber is designed to appeal to global audiences at an attractive price-to-value ratio.

"With the three products of the LX platform selling at a record pace and the arrival of the Dodge Caliber, Chrysler Group is back in the car business in a big way," said Dilts.

Jeep® brand sales of 39,618 units were 11 percent better than February 2005 sales of 35,756 units. Sales of the Jeep brand were helped by the enthusiastic reception of the Jeep Commander, which posted sales of 7,091 units. February results for the Jeep Commander were 68 percent higher than January 2006 results of 4,209 units and set a new sales record for the vehicle and confirming consumers' desire for a seven-passenger Jeep vehicle.

Jeep Wrangler continued to maintain its position as a leader in the small SUV segment by posting sales of 5,673 units, an increase of 9 percent over February 2005 sales of 5,198 units.

Sales of Chrysler brand vehicles increased 3 percent with the company's flagship product, the Chrysler 300, setting a new sales record of 13,685 units, eclipsing the previous record of 13,475 units set in March 2005 and continuing its position as the dominant leader in the Luxury Full-Size Car segment.

The Chrysler Pacifica posted sales of 8,694 units, an increase of 24 percent over sales of 7,010 units last year.

Sales of the Chrysler PT Cruiser increased 21 percent to 10,896 units, compared to previous year sales of 8,997 units.

The distinctive Dodge Ram pickup maintained its position as the company's sales volume leader, posting sales of 29,887 units and improving 2 percent over February 2005 sales of 29,202 units. The Dodge Ram helped Dodge brand sales remain steady at 95,622 units compared to 96,312 units last year.

The Dodge Ram portfolio expands and builds upon Dodge's leadership position in the truck market with the introduction today of the all-new 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab at the National Truck Equipment Association Show in Atlanta, GA.

Building on Dodge's rich commercial heritage, the all-new 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Chassis Cab combines commercial capability, durability and leading versatility in a vehicle targeted at small business tradesmen, fleet customers and traditional chassis cab users looking for more cab space, enhanced functionality and bold styling.

Sales of the Dodge Charger set an all-time sales record for the vehicle by posting sales of 11,862 units, rising 48 percent over the January 2006 previous sales record of 8,023 units.

Vehicle lifetime sales of the Dodge Magnum surpassed 100,000 units. With 4,694 units sold in February, total Dodge Magnum sales reached 100,163 units since its introduction in May 2004.

"As we move into the spring selling season, our recent product introductions like the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Commander continue to attract new customers," said Dilts. "We eagerly anticipate the arrival of 10 all-new products this year and are well-positioned to offer a full range of new, distinctive vehicles as the economy looks to gain momentum going forward."

Chrysler Group finished the month with 532,534 units of inventory, or a 67-day supply.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation U.S. Sales Summary Thru February 2006

                                               Month Sales      DR %   Vol %
                    Model                  Curr Yr    Pr Yr    Change  Change
    Sebring                                  7,897     7,732      2%      2%
    Concorde                                     0        36   -100%   -100%
    300                                     13,685    12,665      8%      8%
    Crossfire                                  412       902    -54%    -54%
    PT Cruiser                              10,896     8,997     21%     21%
    Pacifica                                 8,694     7,010     24%     24%
    Town & Country                          13,543    16,233    -17%    -17%
    CHRYSLER BRAND                          55,127    53,575      3%      3%
    Wrangler                                 5,673     5,198      9%      9%
    Liberty                                 12,931    15,027    -14%    -14%
    Grand Cherokee                          13,923    15,531    -10%    -10%
    Commander                                7,091         0      0%      0%
    JEEP BRAND                              39,618    35,756     11%     11%
    Neon                                     4,007    12,390    -68%    -68%
    Caliber                                  1,397         0      0%      0%
    Stratus                                 10,467     7,998     31%     31%
    Intrepid                                              38      NA      NA
    Charger                                 11,862         0      0%      0%
    Viper                                      108       104      4%      4%
    Magnum                                   4,694     5,248    -11%    -11%
    Dakota                                   6,260     8,250    -24%    -24%
    Ram P/U                                 29,887    29,202      2%      2%
    Caravan                                 17,618    19,115     -8%     -8%
    Durango                                  7,924    12,998    -39%    -39%
    Ram Van/Wagon                                0        73   -100%   -100%
    Sprinter Van                             1,398       896     56%     56%
    DODGE BRAND                             95,622    96,312     -1%     -1%

    TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP                   190,367   185,643      3%      3%

              TOTAL CG CAR                  50,804    42,858     19%     19%
              TOTAL CG TRUCK               139,563   142,785     -2%     -2%
    Selling Days                                24        24


                                               Sales CYTD       DR %   Vol %
                    Model                  Curr Yr    Pr Yr    Change  Change
    Sebring                                 17,398    14,038     24%     24%
    Concorde                                     0        72   -100%   -100%
    300                                     26,431    22,777     16%     16%
    Crossfire                                  871     1,776    -51%    -51%
    PT Cruiser                              22,302    16,884     32%     32%
    Pacifica                                13,763    12,246     12%     12%
    Town & Country                          22,990    27,587    -17%    -17%
    CHRYSLER BRAND                         103,755    95,380      9%      9%
    Wrangler                                 9,503     8,941      6%      6%
    Liberty                                 22,205    25,994    -15%    -15%
    Grand Cherokee                          26,383    28,286     -7%     -7%
    Commander                               11,300         0      0%      0%
    JEEP BRAND                              69,391    63,221     10%     10%
    Neon                                     7,354    23,648    -69%    -69%
    Caliber                                  1,397         0      0%      0%
    Stratus                                 20,608    16,382     26%     26%
    Intrepid                                     0        91   -100%   -100%
    Charger                                 19,885         0      0%      0%
    Viper                                      222       179     24%     24%
    Magnum                                   8,459    10,315    -18%    -18%
    Dakota                                  10,843    14,339    -24%    -24%
    Ram P/U                                 51,677    53,526     -3%     -3%
    Caravan                                 33,891    32,912      3%      3%
    Durango                                 15,592    21,991    -29%    -29%
    Ram Van/Wagon                                0       131   -100%   -100%
    Sprinter Van                             2,758     1,639     68%     68%
    DODGE BRAND                            172,686   175,153     -1%     -1%

    TOTAL CHRYSLER GROUP                   345,832   333,754      4%      4%

              TOTAL CG CAR                  96,376    80,887     19%     19%
              TOTAL CG TRUCK               249,456   252,867     -1%     -1%
    Selling Days                                48        48

Link: http://prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtm...04311476&EDATE=

[Matt276]

I'd like to know the fleet sales percentage and the amount of incentives per unit sold.

[I hope GMRULES again]

The Charger is selling very good, its on tack to sell 120k a year a probably taking a lot of Impala buyers.

[Chicagoland]

Hmm, just when is the PT Cruiser going to "die off" as the "experts" predicted will happen "any day now"??

Shows that 'know it alls' know nothing!

[Dirty Harry]

Almost 2yrs after its intro the 300 is still on fire (and w/out incentives). WAY T0 GO CHRYSLER!!!!. Now don't screw it up with shaky quality.

[Flybrian]

Almost 2yrs after its intro the 300 is still on fire (and w/out incentives).  WAY T0 GO CHRYSLER!!!!.  Now don't screw it up with shaky quality.

Chrysler does indeed have incentives on the 300 line: $1000 cash back.

[carlover23]

Chrysler does indeed have incentives on the 300 line: $1000 cash back.

base models only, you are not going to see that on a Hemi or limited version.

[Chicagoland]

$1000 today is $250 in 1981 money, nothing to even get worked up abput.

And so far, no major quality problems with the LX cars.

[Snate]

Chrysler does indeed have incentives on the 300 line: $1000 cash back.

Go to a local dealer and you'll find alot more than 1000 back. I've seen 4K on all but the Hemi models.

[Matt276]

If GM decided to sell 3000 less Impala to Fleet, does it give more sales to the 300/Charger. Cause nothing said that retail sales were up at DCX.

[Intrepidation]

SO much for annalists thinking that Chysler Group was starting to loose its momentum. Considering that not only are the Charger and 300 at record monthly sales, and the PT Cruiser is even up (bet you annalists didn't see that coming) they'll be doing even better as the Caliber becomes more widely available. I'm surprised that the COmmander is selling well, I heard it wasn't, I guess it's doing better now. If they keep these sales up, they'll be in great shape when the Nitro, Avenger/Sebring and minvans are launched. They'll only get stronger at this rate. Keep it up Chrysler Group!

[ocnblu]

This is good news for all domestic fans. Good job, Mopar!

[jrockb4]

Hmmm, did Chrysler get caught with their proverbial hands in the cookie jar?

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...333/1148/AUTO01

It would seem that DCX has been making a lot of cars and just stocking them, while this is common for many manufacturers, it can not be a good long term strategy. I think GM and Ford have worked to reduce inventories, and right size their corporations.

[Ravenfreak13]

Go PT Cruiser! It won't die off..especially with the redesign coming in a couple years.

[Charger4U]

id like to know how the megacab is seellin ive seen a million of em even in a litttle hillbilly town like mine.

[Intrepidation]

id like to know how the megacab is seellin ive seen a million of em even in a litttle hillbilly town like mine.

Oh yeah? I've yet to see one...but I have seen several resfreshed Rams (mostly Quad Cabs)

[Ravenfreak13]

Even stratus sales are up!

[Charger4U]

Oh yeah? I've yet to see one...but I have seen several resfreshed Rams (mostly Quad Cabs)

those i ahev not seen alot of.

[Ravenfreak13]

I wonder how plymouth would've been doing if they were still around(with new models of course)